“We’ve waited years for this,” said Jeremy Abrams, owner of One Love Beach Club, a dispensary on Broadway that first opened as a medical-only dispensary in 2006, but was shut down in 2012. “We want to help break the stigma and fear of cannabis.”

Still, some people may have questions about marijuana: Where can they buy it? What will happen if they smoke? Where do they begin?

Here is an introductory, although far from comprehensive, list of questions some of you may have and the answers to them.

So, now that recreational pot is legal in Long Beach, will there eventually be a dispensary on every block?

When the City Council passed new marijuana regulations this summer, for the first time allowing the sale of weed for recreational uses, it made sure pot shops couldn’t proliferate – a fear among those who think dispensaries add to blight. So, the regulations mandate that only dispensaries that already have medical permits can have recreational permits.

And since only 32 dispensaries can have a medical permit at any one time, only they can also sell marijuana for recreational purposes. But even that 32 number is a long way off: as of Friday, only our dispensaries have licenses to sell both medical and recreational cannabis.

So, can I just stroll into a dispensary and buy pot now?

For the most part, yes. You have to be 21 years or older to buy marijuana, and you must bring a valid ID; sometimes, dispensaries require you to leave your identification at the front desk and you will likely have to fill out a form. When you walk in, an employee will ask you if you are a medical marijuana patient, or a recreational customer — so they can give you the appropriate form.

These forms take about two minutes to fill out. Then, you’re free to go pot shopping.

Wait, why would they ask me if I’m there for medical or recreational purposes? Does it even matter?

Yes, it does. While any adult can now buy weed from a dispensary, the state has different rules for medical and recreational cannabis. For example, medical users can buy marijuana products with a maximum of 2,000 milligrams of THC — the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis — while recreational users can only have weed with 1,000 milligrams of THC.

Medical marijuana users are also not taxed by the state.

And the sales are different, according to Nathan Davit, general manager of the Connected Cannabis chain of dispensaries, which has a location on Second Street in Long Beach. Dispensaries, Davit said, are allowed to offer sales to anyone — much like how a department store could offer a 25 percent off Labor Day sale — but can’t give customers any pot for free. But they can offer medical users “BOGOs,” a retail term meaning “buy one, get one.”

How do I know what to buy then?

Ask your budtender. They’re the experts and should be able to talk you through which product will best serve your needs.

But if you’re a novice and have no experience smoking — whether pot, cigars or cigarettes — edibles or tinctures may be the way to start. But be careful with the edibles: unlike smoking, edibles take a while to work into your bloodstream. It’s common for folks to have a piece of an edible, not wait long enough, think it’s not working and take more — and then become too high. It’s not fun.

If you’re worried about the psychoactive effects of THC — the stereotypical paranoia, uncontrollable giggles and the urge to make seemingly deep (to you) conclusions about the universe — you can get products with only Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, and no THC. These products, often enjoyed in teas or as creams, can help relax you, relieve pain, or help with anxiety.

But you won’t trip.

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I’ve heard there are different strains of marijuana. What does that mean?

There are thousands of strains of cannabis — each with colorful names such as the popular Purple Kush or Gorilla Glue. Each has different tastes, THC levels, and effects on your body and mind. Just like beer or wine.

But each of those strains typically falls into one of three categories: indica, sativa or hybrid. And that’s probably what you’re referring to, especially if you’re a novice who recently eavesdropped on potheads at a party.

Indica and sativa are two subspecies of the cannabis plant. (A third, ruderalis, is too small and isn’t potent enough, so it’s typically avoided.)

Indica gives users what is colloquially known as a “body high.” It relaxes you physically, eases pain and helps you sleep — and gives you the munchies. It’s best used at night, the marijuana equivalent of a warm glass of milk.

Sativa, meanwhile, produces a “mind high.” It makes you creative, gives you energy and provides a sense of euphoria.

Hybrids, as the name suggests, are blends of Indica and Sativa.

Um, what if I still have more questions about using marijuana, as well as state and local laws?

Again,a dispensary budtender should be able to answer a lot of your questions. But if you’d like more of a primer, there are online resources. Three such websites are:

The Cannifornian, a website maintained by 25 California newsrooms owned by Digital First Media (including the Press-Telegram);

Chris Haire is the senior reporter for the Press-Telegram. He previously was a general assignment reporter for the Orange County Register, covering everything from spot news to human-interest features. He has been with the Register and Southern California News Group since December 2012. He graduated with honors from the Columbia University School of Journalism, with a master's degree. Chris also has a bachelor's degree in journalism from San Francisco State University and would like, one day, to get a doctorate in history. (He's kind of nerdy.) He also loves Russian literature, including Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Pushkin and Solzhenitsyn.